The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-01-20

aGit do,Un," said q roiGe in the darkness.
All the passengers except Halo started.
The man next to him moved his right hand
suddenly behind him, but as quickly stopped.
One of the motionless trees had apparently
closed upon the vehicle, and what had seemed
to DO a bough projecting from it at right
angles changed slowly into, the family shin
ing double barrels of a gun at the window
"Drop thatl' said the voice. =. =,
The man who had moved uttered short
laugh and returned his hand empty to his
knees. The two others pcrceptibly shrugged
their shoulders as over game that was lost.
The remaining passenger, John Hale, fearless
by nature, inexperienced by habit, awaking
suddenly to. the truth, conceived desperate
resistance. But without bis making ges-
ture, this was instinctively felt by the others;
the muzzle of the gun turned spontaneously
OH him, and he was vaguely conscious of O
certain contempt and Impotence OF him IN
his companions. -, .sl,, a...,s:-..-. :
"Git down." repeated the voice impera-
lively. .--.-. g.. 4 10, D.. -
The three passengers descended. Hale,
furious, alert, but helpless Of any cpportu-
nifty, followed. He was surprised to find the
stage driver and express messenger standing
beside him; he had not heard them dismount.
He instinctively looked toward the horses.
He could see nothing. .... :
"Hold up your liands!"
One of the passengers had already lifted
III, -, n ,,,aa,.x, ,,arf,ncto,,, ,voy THO ofbo,,-
did the same reluctantly and awkwardly,
but apparently more from tho consciousness
of the righteousness of their attitude than
from any sense of danger. The rays of. a
bulls eye lantern, deftly managed by in
visible hands, while it left the jntruders in
shadow, completely illuminated the faces and
figures of the passengers. In spite Of the
majestic obscurity and silence of surround
ing nature, the group of humanity thus il
Illuminated was more farcical than dramatic.
A scrap of newspaper, part Of sandwich,
and an orange peel that had fallen from the
floor of the coach, brought into equal prom
inence by the searching light, completed the
absurdity,
There is man here with package OF
greenbacks," said a voice, with an official
GOODNESS that lent certain suggestion of
custom house inspection to the transaction;
asrho is it!n The passengers looked at each
other, and their glance finally settled on
Hale.
Fits not him." continued the voice, with
slight tinge of contempt On the emphasis.
GYou'Il save time and searching, gentlemen,
if you'll tote it out. If we've got to so
through every one Of you we'll try to make
it pay"
The significant threat was not UNDECIDED.
The passenger who had first moved when the
stage stopped put his hand to his breast.
sTother pocket first, if you please" said
the voice. rr5.ssr.s
The man laughed, drew pistol from his
hip pocket, and, under the strong light Of the
lantern, laid it on a spot in the road indicated
by the voice. A thick envelope, taken from
his breast pocket, was laid beside it. u told
the did fools that gave it to me, instead of
sending it by express, u would be at their
own risk, he said apologetically.
aAs it's going with tho express now rs all
the same,n aaid tho inevitable hpmoyist Of the